ABOUT ME

Who Am I?

After publishing a flurry of "Local Spotlights" on various Facebook pages I thought it was time that I formally introduce myself as many have emailed me asking me "Who Are You?". Hopefully, this post will answer those that have inquired and intrique those that secretly wondered, "Who is this person that posts under the name of Tranquil Acres of Alexandria?".

I have been a resident of Hunterdon County since 2006. Prior to moving here, I have lived in both Union and Morris County, but have always visited Hunterdon County starting from when I was young. My family and I would visit "Flemington Speedway" back in the dirt track days and leave looking like raccoons from the dirt that sprayed on our faces. We would visit "Turntable Junction", and the old "Lanco" shopping center.  My husband and I always enjoyed riding through the hills of Hunterdon County on our Sunday drives and said that one day we would move to this beautiful area and indeed in 2006 we honored that dream and found a wonderful home in Alexandria.

I have two daughters, one of which went to Delaware Valley High School and now works in Hunterdon County as well.  I am a Sales Manager at a local garden center where we believe in the promise of good customer service.

I am a gardener, a crafter and a birding enthusiast. I dabble in photography and love to write. I began my blog, "Tranquil Acres of Alexandria" in 2010 writing about this and that, and everything under the sun. However, like many, I set forth into 2012 with a resolution of trying to make a difference, if only a small one, and used my blog to be the platform of such an inspiration.

My purpose is to highlight local businesses within Hunterdon County that are either family owned, unique or offer something sweet. You'll never find me writing a post on a chain or a box store as they get enough attention, however, it's the local businesses that I enjoy and love to visit.  

Similar to a "Mystery Shopper" I will set my sights on a local business that I find randomly. I will shop the store, or dine inside, and when I am impressed with a fine customer service experience I present them with a postcard indicating that they will be spotlighted on my blog.

What does this mean for the establishment? Not only will they be given a fine review and a spotlighted post, but they will be picked up on search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing as I always put key words within my posts that will get picked up on searches. Aside from that, I link their post to their Facebook page and other social media sources, as well as my own Facebook page. From there, the social networking clicking and surfing begins, drawing attention to these local favorite spotlights.

It has always been my philosophy that if you have something good to say about an establishment why keep it a secret? Word of mouth is one of the most powerful advertising tools there are and if just one of my blog posts encourages a new customer to any of the establishments I write about then in my opinion, I've contributed to the county in which I live.

My journey all started with the Fine Diner in Clinton, NJ and it was a 'fine' place to start. Since then I've visited and written about the following wonderful establishments:

Clinton
Dish
Tante Kringle Christmas Cottage
Refine Day Spa
Northwoods Farm Soap & Candle Co.

Flemington
Back Road BBQ
Art Attack

Frenchtown
Modern Love
Two Buttons

Hampton
Hoffman Park
Hampton Borough Park

Milford
Little York Restaurant
The Ship Inn Restaurant & Brewery

Pittstown
Sky Manor Airport & Restaurant

There are many, many more places I intend on visiting within wonderful Hunterdon County as there are so many fine establishments worthy of spotlighting in each township of this county.

Don't be surprised if I end up in your location and introduce myself as

"Tranquil Acres of Alexandria"!

If you would like to keep up with all the destinations that I visit and spotlight in beautiful Hunterdon County follow me on Facebook!